19. The Spell

"Damn, I have no idea how to recreate such a spell! A spell to send me to the mortal realm, back to that place..." Ah, I will fail to keep my promise... what of my pride as a dragon god? Shameful. Ceyfea sighed and stared at her tiny human hands. Hmph, this form reflects my powerlessness...

"A spell to travel to the mortal realm, you say?" A familiar, yet tiny, voice came from nearby. Ceyfea spun around and saw a dusty-haired human child with fiery eyes glaring at her--without more than a glance, she knew who it was, even though his form was entirely different. But how has he taken on the form of a human!? I taught that spell to no one!
"Vaoulus." Ceyfea said his name disdainfully.
"Hmm? You look surprised. Is it because of this form...?" He snickered and approached her. "But, I applaud you for recognizing me. It's humorous for you to take on such a pathetic form, rival."
"Rival? Hah! When have you ever been my equal? I've stomped you into the ground several times, and I would again if I wasn't so busy."

"You? Busy...? Besides, you are the daughter of a god-king...of course you are stronger in terms of brute strength. But intelligence..." Vaoulus rolled his eyes. "Ahem. You wish to return to the mortal realm, correct?"
"Eavesdropping? You have no pride."
"Pride is only a weakness," He stepped away from her, gazing up into the yellow-orange sky. "And to sate your curiosity, I learned this spell by watching you. Not alone, of course; a friend of mine studied it with me for a short time before we were able to replicate it entirely."
"Friend? You have a friend? That is less believable than you being a rat!"

"As I recall, you have not a single friend...yet you throw stones at me?"
Ceyfea crossed her arms and snorted. "I have no need of friends!" Yes, I already have one. A human! How many inhabitants of Draconia can say they've befriended a human? It is an exotic honor!
Vaoulus sighed and rubbed his temples. "Anyway, I tire of this time-wasting blathering. I can help you return to the mortal realm--no, to develop a spell that will allow you to travel anywhere in creation!"

She blinked in surprised, but quickly growled at him distrustfully. "You're a lower ranked god than I am! There's no way you can do that."
"Alone, I cannot. I do not have the mana to create such a spell, but together... together we can."
I can? I really have that kind of power...? Traveling anywhere in creation... sounds exciting. "Ha! You can't do anything. You expect me to help you?"
"No, you dolt! Without me, you lack the intelligence to craft such a complex spell. I have been working on the basis of such a spell for a few Rises now...but I don't have the mana reserves to make it work."

"You're talking gibberish. It's getting annoying... I've got a headache, because of you. Can you leave? Unless you've got something useful to say, other than spouting steam as usual."
Vaoulus sighed and procured a worn-looking scroll from his pocket and unraveled it for Ceyfea to see. "This is the culmination of my work so far."

"Huh? A piece of paper with scrawls and scratches? A joke like this, coming from you... ha ha, it seems you aren't so smart!"
"You know nothing of our people, I see."
"What?"
"There is no True Draconic tongue, Ceyfea. Our language, the sacred language of the dragon gods... it is different for every one of us."
"Huh?"
"Dragon gods do not use words as other gods and mortals do. We simply breathe life into our thoughts, and from those breaths...words are formed. Our innate ability allows us to create and understand the 'words' of any creature; not only that, but our words are also understood by any creature we speak to."

"Huuuh?" Ceyfea groaned. "You never make any sense. This is why I always attack you on sight... I can't stand you."
"The 'scrawls' on this scroll are Draconic Runes--special markings which possess immense amounts of energy. They are simply put, Words of Power."
"...So you spent several Rises scribbling on this paper...?"
"Ugh. Why do I bother even trying to explain something to a dragon with the intelligence of a burnt-out kindling?"
Ceyfea raised a fist at him. "You--"

"Listen: 'The rift shall open', now look again," Vaoulus handed her the scroll.
"Hm. Whatever, what is the point of this?"
"The next step is this: you must finish the spell with your own Words of Power. Inscribe the Runes using the Lune element you possess and read them aloud to me. Be sure to use words or phrases that are simple, yet commanding and powerful; take your time, do not--"

Ceyfea blasted the paper with a surge of Lunar-infused Aure and Vaoulus grimaced as he picked it up. "Ah yes, the subtlety and intelligence of an ogre..." He sighed. "I spent two Rises carefully crafting my Runes..."
"It's simple enough. I added to your part, so now it reads 'The rift shall open. No path is barred to me; I am the Planewalker.' I can't believe it took you two Rises to write four words..."

"I am impressed. As I thought... you possess near-limitless supply of mana, even when Aontiok has long set."
"Then, is it done? Can I return to the mortal realm?"
"Of course not, you dolt. This is merely the first step--this is the focus which creates the framework of the spell. It will take at least 15 Cele'rundis to make it work correctly."
"15 Years?! Are you serious...? That's outrageous."
"Hrmph, I'm being generous... with your intelligence, it could take much longer. Lucky for you, I will simplify things so that even you can understand."

"Yeah, yeah... once I master this spell, I'm going to beat you up again."
"Truly? Do you want my help or not?"
"Your help... I know it isn't free. What do you want in exchange?"
"Oh," Vaoulus smiled. "It's a trivial little thing for you, but of great importance to me..."
"So?" Ceyfea snarled at him. "What is it?"

"A crystal of pure Lune energy. You do know how to create one...? We dragon gods have the ability to crystallize a portion of our elemental energy; these crystals are unique in that their energy regenerates over time. As you know... the element of Lune is one of nearly pure Mana."
"...." I have no idea what he's talking about. But it sounds pretty easy. I couldn't care less why he wants it, I just need this spell. It's true that my understanding of magic isn't that good, so... I hate to admit it, but maybe I can't do this alone. "Whatever. I'll make you that crystal, but only after I've returned to the mortal realm. Got it?"

"Well, I know you are an honorable dragon of your word, so I accept. It will be an arduous journey, teaching you the very basics of magic..." He sighed. "But I am willing to trade knowledge for power. Let's get started, then... and do try to pay attention, all right?"
"...Just shut up already. No more useless dialogue from you, okay? Let's focus on this damn spell and be done with it! No way I'm waiting 15 Years to go back!"